personal question for moms of two

For those of you that have two children (or more:) that are two years apart, how difficult was it for you to have them close in age? Was it harder transitioning from no kids to one, or one kid to having two? DH and I have DS but would like another baby soon. Thinking maybe two years apart. What's your feedback on this? Thanks so much!

For those of you that have two children (or more:) that are two years apart, how difficult was it for you to have them close in age? Was it harder transitioning from no kids to one, or one kid to having two? DH and I have DS but would like another baby soon. Thinking maybe two years apart. What's your feedback on this? Thanks so much!

I have 4 children, and I would have to say, going from one to two was the hardest, because now I had to divide my time, and I had a lot of guilt that my first DS was not getting 100% of my attention. My first 2 are 2 yrs apart, and then I had my 3rd 6 yrs later, that was a breeze. I had a lot of guilt when I had #4 because #3 was a little over 2, and she was not getting as much attention anymore. My older 2 were 9&11 when #4 was born, and very independent, so the attention thing wasn't an issue with them. When things get hectic, I just meet the most of the urgent need. For example, poopy diaper or hunger trumps most situations, other than one being hurt or sick. You some how manage, and I love when people compliment me on how well I keep things calm. You have to, or you will go insane. The best thing is seeing my children interact together, it makes it all worth it at the end if a crazy day!

I have 4 children, and I would have to say, going from one to two was the hardest, because now I had to divide my time, and I had a lot of guilt that my first DS was not getting 100% of my attention. My first 2 are 2 yrs apart, and then I had my 3rd 6 yrs later, that was a breeze. I had a lot of guilt when I had #4 because #3 was a little over 2, and she was not getting as much attention anymore. My older 2 were 9&11 when #4 was born, and very independent, so the attention thing wasn't an issue with them. When things get hectic, I just meet the most of the urgent need. For example, poopy diaper or hunger trumps most situations, other than one being hurt or sick. You some how manage, and I love when people compliment me on how well I keep things calm. You have to, or you will go insane. The best thing is seeing my children interact together, it makes it all worth it at the end if a crazy day!

The hardest part for me was not being able to drink during the terrible twos. The next hardest part was trying to get the baby on a schedule that coordinated with ds' schedule. I'm still working on that. But ds has always been dd's favorite person and I know that they will be good friends. My brothers and I were all 2 years apart. It's enough time that they can be different people but close enough that they can be friends.

The hardest part for me was not being able to drink during the terrible twos. The next hardest part was trying to get the baby on a schedule that coordinated with ds' schedule. I'm still working on that. But ds has always been dd's favorite person and I know that they will be good friends. My brothers and I were all 2 years apart. It's enough time that they can be different people but close enough that they can be friends.

My oldest and middle are 2.5 years apart exactly. Easy. My oldest was a perfect age. My middle and youngest are 20 months apart and that was a very hard transition. My middle is a Mana's boy and is still so little and young! He still needs me so much that it was a difficult age to have to divide that. It's fine now- and easy because its our life!... But initially, the 2.5 year age gap was much easier than 20 months.

My oldest and middle are 2.5 years apart exactly. Easy. My oldest was a perfect age. My middle and youngest are 20 months apart and that was a very hard transition. My middle is a Mana's boy and is still so little and young! He still needs me so much that it was a difficult age to have to divide that. It's fine now- and easy because its our life!... But initially, the 2.5 year age gap was much easier than 20 months.

I have 3. My oldest was 2 when I brought his sister home and he had developmental delays so he was oblivious to her for about a year. Dd was 3 when I brought her brother home and she was alright with him but not really enamored. 3 has been harder than 2 so far bc I'm out numbered!

I have 3. My oldest was 2 when I brought his sister home and he had developmental delays so he was oblivious to her for about a year. Dd was 3 when I brought her brother home and she was alright with him but not really enamored. 3 has been harder than 2 so far bc I'm out numbered!

We have 2 kids, 2.5 years apart. I have some crazy days and other days its a breeze. I have learned to plan meals, cook enough for 2-3 days, freeze extra for another day etc. and have learned to be ok with the house not being spotless (I clean when I can and tidy up at night when they are asleep). I sometimes feel LO gets more attn because I can't ignore a crying baby but I can tell a three year old to wait a few min. I make it a point to spend one on one time as often as I can. Now as Lo is getting older, it's easier to incorporate her into our playtime. This is good for DS so he learns to share and be kind to his sister and hopefully, this will help develop a good bond between them and they will start to play together and not require me to be at their side 24/7. Life with 2 means barely any down time (you pee and shower with an audience!) and loooong crazy days. It makes a huge difference if dh helps and if you have family, friends, or a good baby sitter to help out and give you a much needed break. It's tough, but it's doable!

We have 2 kids, 2.5 years apart. I have some crazy days and other days its a breeze. I have learned to plan meals, cook enough for 2-3 days, freeze extra for another day etc. and have learned to be ok with the house not being spotless (I clean when I can and tidy up at night when they are asleep). I sometimes feel LO gets more attn because I can't ignore a crying baby but I can tell a three year old to wait a few min. I make it a point to spend one on one time as often as I can. Now as Lo is getting older, it's easier to incorporate her into our playtime. This is good for DS so he learns to share and be kind to his sister and hopefully, this will help develop a good bond between them and they will start to play together and not require me to be at their side 24/7. Life with 2 means barely any down time (you pee and shower with an audience!) and loooong crazy days. It makes a huge difference if dh helps and if you have family, friends, or a good baby sitter to help out and give you a much needed break. It's tough, but it's doable!

I'm having a hard time with this too. I think I would like a 3 yr gap but I can't believe how busy dd keeps me. I don't know how I could have enough time/attention for another but have always wanted more than 1

I'm having a hard time with this too. I think I would like a 3 yr gap but I can't believe how busy dd keeps me. I don't know how I could have enough time/attention for another but have always wanted more than 1

I also have 4, (12, 10, 3.5, 9 months). I think a two year gap is perfect! My 3yo was so mean when her brother came along, I still can't leave them alone. I know that's not every child BUT she was always a good girl before this (a little bossy, lol, but good) and we never had issues but now she's a terror! My oldest two are 22 months apart and they were much easier, I'm guessing because there wasn't much jealousy at that age.

I also have 4, (12, 10, 3.5, 9 months). I think a two year gap is perfect! My 3yo was so mean when her brother came along, I still can't leave them alone. I know that's not every child BUT she was always a good girl before this (a little bossy, lol, but good) and we never had issues but now she's a terror! My oldest two are 22 months apart and they were much easier, I'm guessing because there wasn't much jealousy at that age.

Thanks mamas for all of your input! I'm no spring chicken over here (lol). DH and I had our first a little later than I would say a lot of moms. I grew up with 3 of us and would love to have 3, just not sure it's in our cards. I figured if we were going to try it I'd have to have #2 not too long after the first. And if we are only meant to have 2, then I wanted them close so they could grow up together. My sisters were 5 and 6 years younger than me. They were a year apart and super close. I didn't have that same closeness that they had. All Of your input is definitely something to think about. Thank so much!!

Thanks mamas for all of your input! I'm no spring chicken over here (lol). DH and I had our first a little later than I would say a lot of moms. I grew up with 3 of us and would love to have 3, just not sure it's in our cards. I figured if we were going to try it I'd have to have #2 not too long after the first. And if we are only meant to have 2, then I wanted them close so they could grow up together. My sisters were 5 and 6 years younger than me. They were a year apart and super close. I didn't have that same closeness that they had. All Of your input is definitely something to think about. Thank so much!!

Thanks for the question and responses. I've been reading this post with the same question. DS is almost 10 months and I've been thinking a lot lately about #2. I'm from a family of four, with the age gaps between us being 2 years, 2.5 years, and 11 months. I don't know how my mom managed it! DH is 7 years older than me, so I don't want to wait forever. But my pregnancy was tough and I have a lot of extra weight to deal with now. Anyways, I'm rambling... The insight has been very helpful.

Thanks for the question and responses. I've been reading this post with the same question. DS is almost 10 months and I've been thinking a lot lately about #2. I'm from a family of four, with the age gaps between us being 2 years, 2.5 years, and 11 months. I don't know how my mom managed it! DH is 7 years older than me, so I don't want to wait forever. But my pregnancy was tough and I have a lot of extra weight to deal with now. Anyways, I'm rambling... The insight has been very helpful.

My oldest 2 ds are 18 mos apart. They are truly best friends! It was def hard at times, but you just do what you have to to get by. We just had dd almost 4 yrs later and it's been great! I def needed the break in there. I do feel a little guilty about ds #2 cause I don't remember much of him being an infant things were so busy but that is what videos are for! I think it was harder to go from one to two than two to three. It's great having them close! GL!

My oldest 2 ds are 18 mos apart. They are truly best friends! It was def hard at times, but you just do what you have to to get by. We just had dd almost 4 yrs later and it's been great! I def needed the break in there. I do feel a little guilty about ds #2 cause I don't remember much of him being an infant things were so busy but that is what videos are for! I think it was harder to go from one to two than two to three. It's great having them close! GL!

DS is 26 months older than DD. The transition from 1 to 2 is very different than the transition from 0 to 1. For me, I can't really compare the transitions because they were each challenging and wonderful in their own ways. Both of my kids were easy newborns and infants but DS is a very challenging toddler (a very active, socially anxious, sensory seeker) and most of the challenges I've faced in becoming a parent of two have been due to trying to balance his very high needs with those of a baby. I like having them this close together but do think it might have been easier to wait until DS is more self-sufficient.

DS is 26 months older than DD. The transition from 1 to 2 is very different than the transition from 0 to 1. For me, I can't really compare the transitions because they were each challenging and wonderful in their own ways. Both of my kids were easy newborns and infants but DS is a very challenging toddler (a very active, socially anxious, sensory seeker) and most of the challenges I've faced in becoming a parent of two have been due to trying to balance his very high needs with those of a baby. I like having them this close together but do think it might have been easier to wait until DS is more self-sufficient.

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